Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
At the Gaza peace summit, held in Egypt’s Red Sea resort destination of Sharm el-Sheikh, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan playfully urged Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to give up smoking. This light-hearted moment occurred during discussions aimed at resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict and plans for Gaza's reconstruction.
A video shared by local media captured Erdogan stating to Meloni, “I saw you coming down from the plane. You look fabulous, but I must insist you stop smoking.” Nearby, French President Emmanuel Macron chuckled, interjecting, “That’s impossible!”
Meloni, known for her quick wit, humorously replied, “I’m aware, I’m aware. But if I quit smoking, I might become less outgoing! I wouldn’t want to scare anyone away!” Her answer elicited laughter from fellow leaders, providing a humorous reprieve amidst crucial diplomatic conversations.
Interestingly, in a newly released book featuring her interviews, Giorgia Meloni noted that smoking often aided her in connecting with global leaders, including Tunisian President Kais Saied. She revealed that sharing a cigarette has sometimes served as a bridge for informal yet significant dialogues.
Simultaneously, President Erdogan has been a champion for a smoke-free Turkey. Through his administration’s “Smoke-Free Türkiye” campaign, Ankara seeks to boost awareness, motivate quitting, and safeguard youth against tobacco. This initiative aligns with Turkey’s 2024–2028 national action plan to lower smoking prevalence and advocate for healthier living.
The Gaza peace summit convened various world leaders to advocate for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas while addressing ongoing strategies for peace and reconstruction of the war-impacted Palestinian region. Despite the summit's serious objectives, the amusing interaction between Erdogan and Meloni quickly gained traction online, reflecting the more human aspects of international diplomacy.
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